June 15th was a huge step in the direction of being post Covid for my home State of California. Many of the Covid restrictions now lifted, including social distancing, masks (in most circumstances) and the colored tier system. The tiers kept a lid on how many people could be inside a building at the same time.
So with full capacity seating back in play, I thought it would be good to re-introduce everyone to some of our local food for our tourist industry, and of course, for our locals who are venturing out for the first time in a year and half.
Post Covid restrictions, I discovered most restaurants were still enforcing masks, were still under staffed, and were still keeping weird hours, mainly due to short staffing. As of this writing, we are now 7 days into freedom binge eating in public, travel, and general public horse play!
I noticed people have forgotten how to drive, how to act civil in public, and for some reason, how to keep their cool; people have lost their patience with everything!
It’s like watching rats gone wild in the science lab! Such a weird phenomenon of behavior. And then there are the rest of us, just trying to find the next great meal or drink!
Back Nine Bar & Grill
Ahhhh…the Outlaw Burger! Bacon, pepper jack cheese, whiskey glaze sauce, and a couple of fat onion rings! I sat outside on a perfect weather day and enjoyed the tasty burger. Masks optional.
Located: 555 Highway 17, Santa Cruz, Ca.
Sushi Qu
There is one more sushi place I eat at in my home town of Watsonville, Ca: Sushi Qu! You already know about Imura and Miyuki, but Sushi Qu quietly sits back in town and does it’s business with little fanfare.
Although I’m a fan of fish, it’s the ramen that draws me into Sushi Qu. Known as the “Hangover” ramen bowl, it comes with teriyaki beef, an egg upon request, and a spicy broth!
Sushi Qu is a small restaurant! Maybe 4 tables and several seats at the sushi bar, but it has a large fan following!
Right now masks are still required when you enter, but once you are seated you can take it off.
Located: 952 E. Lake Ave, Watsonville, Ca.
No website, but you can follow them on Instagram @sushiqu1
Trejos Carnitas
Trejos Carnitas is one of those places that does carnitas right! I always get the super carnitas burrito with everything in it. You can ask them to go light on the salsa, but I like mine with the full force of the heat! It’s a large enough burrito to be two meals! They have other items on their menu, including buying carnitas by the pound.
Trejos is still a “to-go” only establishment at this time. It’s unknown when they will return to sit down dining. Masks are still required, and they are cash only!
Located: 370 E. Lake Ave. Watsonville, Ca.
No website, but you can follow them on Facebook under “Carnitas Trejo”
Miyuki Japanese Restaurant
I have featured Miyuki’s before, but I wanted to give an update about them! Chris, the owner and long time sushi chef at this fine establishment, went through a lot of trouble to upgrade the restaurant. He spent a lot of time and money building up his outdoor dining during Covid. And now, with full capacity for inside, you have choices of indoor and outdoor seating. And, as always, his food is amazing and he has great craft canned beer choices. Masks optional.
Located: 452 E. Lake Ave. Watsonville, Ca.
Beach Street Cafe
Beach Street Cafe was another featured restaurant of mine. Here is an update about them. The cafe has moved back indoors and dismantled its outdoor dining.
The food is still awesome! Biscuits and gravy and my favorite…the chorizo burrito.
Masks still required upon entry.
Located: 435 W. Beach St. Watsonville, Ca.
http://beachstreetwatsonville.com
Cilantros
Ahi Tuna salad and a bowl of pork pozole makes for a great outdoor lunch experience.
Like many restaurants around here, staffing is an issue! So for now, Cilantros is keeping their seating limited until they can reach a full compliment of servers. They are also keeping their outdoor dining, which is great news during the summer months of heat!
Masks still required.
Located: 1934 Main St. Watsonville, Ca.
http://cilantroswatsonville.com
Imura Japanese Restaurant
Of course, I have to talk about my Alma Mater! Their rolls and sashimi are amazing. And you can have a custom made roll like the one pictured here! Known as the “Ceviche roll” it’s an off menu item and considered the Rolls-Royce of rolls.
Imura’s is open for indoor and outdoor limited dining. Due to staffing issues it will remain limited and no sushi bar service until they reach full staffing.
Masks are still required.
Located: 1994 Main St. Watsonville, Ca.
The Villager
For those of you who were going through withdrawals for a great crappy dive bar…I have good news for you. The Villager is finally opening July 1st, after being shut down over 15 months ago due to Covid. Yes, I will be there July 1st!
Located: 1032 E. Lake Ave. Watsonville, Ca.
No website or social media
California Bar and Grill
California Bar & Grill is open full capacity dining! No social distancing and masks are optional.
I had the grilled lamp chops. You get 3, 4oz chops in a demi-glace reduction sauce with onion and fresh blueberries! Dang good in my opinion!
I had mine with their famous Au Gratin potatoes.
They also have amazing salad choices. It’s farm directly to table! You can’t get any fresher than that! How is that possible you ask? Well, the owner happens to own one of the largest farms in this area. That’s how!
The grilled sword fish is another favorite of mine at this restaurant. Nicely grilled on the outside, tender and flaky on the inside.
The bar is also full capacity seating again! Pull up a bar stool and check out their choices of poisons. If you belly up to the bar on a Monday or Tuesday night, say hello to bartender extraordinaire, Dane, he will keep your glass full all night.
Located: 40 Penny Lane, Watsonville, Ca. 2nd floor.
http://californiagrillrestaurant.com
There are many restaurant choices in the Santa Cruz County area, California! I couldn’t get to them all this time around, but you get the gist of it.
Remember, most restaurants are having a hard time finding staff for a variety of reasons. It’s a nationwide problem. So please, bring your patience with you when you go out to dine. It will eventually resolve itself and all will be good again in the foodie world.
***Since this writing, mask mandates may have changed with some of the mentioned restaurants in this blog. So please check with the restaurants to make sure you have the latest information. Not sure? Be prepared by always having a mask in your possession…just in case!
You can also find me at Ghosts N Grub Show KSCO Radio AM1080, Facebook page and Foodie Booze Explorer Facebook page.
Download the KSCO app or go to http://ksco.com to listen to all my past Ghosts N Grub Shows.
Until next time on Foodie Booze Explorer.
Yummy Paul!
Thanks Tyra!
Keep up the good work, Paul!
Thanks Kevin!
Always amazing Paul. Thank you the pics.
Thank you John!
You’re making my mouth water Paul. Great photographs!
Lol…thanks Alice!